Forecasting the Weather

And the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test him they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” So he left them and departed. Matthew 16:1-4 ESV
 
Weather apps are very popular on smartphones. There are many to choose from and I have quite a selection on my equipment. I often act as though that entitles me to be an instant expert, somebody who can accurately predict the weather for whatever events people are concerned about. To my frustration, I end up finding that everybody seems to know what the weather is going to do except me!

The apps let me down constantly. I ditch them in disgust and then put them back in case I was a little too hasty. In fact I have discovered that the forecast details can be taken in several different ways, and I am going on a course to try to understand how to interpret them more accurately.

Our Bible reading refers to a piece of weather lore that has been tried and tested over the course of many centuries. “Red sky at night – shepherd’s delight; red sky in the morning – shepherd’s warning.” Scientists have demonstrated that the old proverb can be backed up scientifically.

The Jewish experts in the law clearly knew about this saying and used it effectively. However, they were much less spot-on when it came to interpreting the signs of the times. In Jesus, God’s activity was manifest right in front of them and they just could not see it.
Jesus perceived that it was not out of stupidity or lack of imagination that they failed to see the obvious. It was simply because they were perverse and didn’t want to see. 

They have their counterparts today who simply will not accept clear, evident facts because of fear and prejudice. They have a vested interest in promoting lies and fantasies. They are unwilling to accept the truth because it will expose their weaknesses and make them look stupid.

Some may imagine I am referring to those who don’t accept evolution or climate change. In fact I am thinking of quite different groups: those who are in denial about the abuse of vulnerable people in our society; those who refuse to see evil in the culture of some minority groups because they are afraid of the charge of discrimination.

Jesus told the Jewish leaders that, if they would only let the facts speak for themselves, they would accept that He was God’s Messiah. I am willing to do that. Are you?